The Feathers Did Fly

A Year in Ads That Wasn't for Chickens

By

Suzanne Vranica and

Brian Steinberg Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 20, 2004 11:59 p.m. ET

(See Corrections & Amplifications item below.)

Maybe it was the war, the bitter election season or a sluggish economy. Perhaps it was something in the Madison Avenue water. Whatever the catalyst, advertisers this past year were in full combat mode.

Under pressure to show that their ad dollars boosted market share and brand recognition,...